Three men were indicted on murder charges in the fatal shooting of a Wayne teenager during a robbery attempt in Paterson hours after his high school graduation.

Casey Cole, 18, of Wayne, and Paterson residents Bishma Cowan, 24, and Quashon Faircloth, 27, were each charged with felony murder, murder, conspiracy, robbery and illegal weapon counts in an indictment handed up Tuesday by a Passaic County grand jury. They face life in prison if convicted.

All were charged in June in the alleged robbery and killing of Isaac Rinas, 18. Rinas drove to Paterson on the night of his high school graduation looking to buy a gun, but he was shot to death in a robbery plot orchestrated by Cole, his former classmate, according to authorities.

Why Rinas wanted to buy the gun is not clear, but authorities have said the three alleged conspirators never intended to sell him one -- they only wanted his money.

The plan was put together by Cole and Cowan sometime before the fatal night, authorities said. Cole and Rinas drove to Cowan's home on Hamilton Avenue and Cowan, staying behind, directed them to go the intersection of East 18th Street and Fair Street, an area notorious for drug sales and gang activity. The price of the gun was to be $350, authorities have said.

After they parked, Faircloth approached and got into the back seat of the car, then pulled out a handgun and announced a robbery, prosecutors have said.

Faircloth obtained the money and then ordered Cole out of the vehicle, officials have said.

A few seconds after Cole exited, Faircloth attempted to get more money from Rinas without success. Faircloth then got out of the car. Simultaneously, Rinas opened the driver's side door to exit and Faircloth fired one round, which struck Rinas in the neck. Rinas collapsed on the ground next to his vehicle. Faircloth fled on foot, prosecutors have said.

Cole stayed at the scene and was questioned by police that night, officials said. Faircloth was apprehended upon further investigation. All three men are being held at the Passaic County Jail on $2 million bail.

The defendants are scheduled to appear before state Superior Court Judge Marilyn C. Clark Dec. 2 for arraignment on their indictments.